Decorating Ideas

Trend Alert: Desert Modern Interiors

You don’t have to endure 100-degree heat to enjoy the warmth of a desert home. Desert modern interiors have taken the decorating world by sandstorm, and we’re wholly behind the trend. Whether Joshua Tree is your backyard or you’re firmly planted on the East Coast, a desert-inspired home is only a few steps away. Read on to learn what’s essential to this look.

Photo by Bethany Nauert

Lay Down a Southwestern Rug

A Southwestern rug or a kilim rug with a geometric design is a must. The floor covering adds a graphic punch and a layer of color that will be the starting point for your palette. Look to the hues in your rug for other accents in the room, like throw pillows, decorative accessories, or upholstered furniture.

Add a Touch of Leather

Layers of leather nod toward the Old West, but integrating them in sleek, unfussy form will provide a contemporary look. Consider a Mid-Century Modern leather side chair, leather cabinet pulls, or a tufted leather sofa. Look for cognac colors instead of dark, English-style browns, or perhaps get playful with a soft pastel pink.

Layer in Worldly Textiles

The desert modern aesthetic piggybacks on the California eclectic style, so bohemian accessories such as mud-cloth pillows, indigo textiles, and Chinese embroidery are a shoo-in for your space. Choose what you love, and mix and match to your heart’s content.

Photo by Amy Bartlam

Photo by Tessa Neustadt

Paint Your Walls White

To give your home a clean, modern look, crisp white paint is required. Dark walls or paneling gives Southwestern accents a cabinlike vibe, while dusty neutrals take on a New Mexican look. White, on the other hand, feels decidedly fresh and not too thematic. Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White is one of our favorite go-tos.

Integrate Greenery

Drought-resistant plants are another essential for desert modern interiors. Our favorite is the cactus, of course, but other succulents, palm trees, and air plants are great standbys too. If all else fails, a fiddle-leaf fig is easy to care for and looks hip in every home.